Texas Megachurch Leader Pleads Guilty to Child Abuse Charges

Robert Morris, the founder of a prominent Texas megachurch, has entered a guilty plea on five counts related to indecency with a 12-year-old child. The charges stem from abuse that began on Thursday.

The Oklahoma Attorney General’s Office reports that the 64-year-old former pastor of Gateway Church was sentenced to ten years in county jail, with an initial six months to be served immediately. He is also required to register as a sex offender and pay restitution to the victim.

The abuse reportedly started in 1982, while Morris was serving as a travel evangelist and was involved with the victim’s family in Hominy, Oklahoma. It continued for four years, according to official statements. Morris acknowledged engaging in “inappropriate sexual behavior.” In a past confession, he noted, “When I was in my early 20s, I was involved in inappropriate sexual behavior with a young woman in my home where I was staying.” He clarified that while it wasn’t intercourse, the actions were still wrong.

A tweet from the Dallas Morning News showed Morris being escorted from the Osage County District Court in Oklahoma.

Cindy Kremisher, the now 55-year-old victim, expressed her sense of justice in a press release. “My hope is that many victims are listening to me and that helps them to unlock their shame and find the courage to speak out,” she stated.

Morris will be monitored by Texas authorities through an interstate compact. His attorney, Bill Mateja, indicated that Morris wishes to take responsibility for his actions and has extended his apologies to Kremisher and her family.

Morris established Gateway Church in South Lake, Texas, in 2000. He resigned in 2024 after the charges against him became public. Notably, he had previously hosted former President Donald Trump in 2020 and was a member of Trump’s Evangelical Advisory Committee during the 2016 campaign.